First AdventureConnect "Activity" in Los Angeles Worthy of Repeating

2 June 2015
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AdventureConnect hikers set out for a Saturday morning of active networking in Topanga Canyon.
AdventureConnect hikers set out for a Saturday morning of active networking in Topanga Canyon.

On a Saturday in May a group of ATTA community contacts from the greater Los Angeles area gathered in Topanga State Park for an energizing morning hike and discussion about adventure industry trends and challenges and successes in their business development.

Led by ATTA’s Regional Advocate Michael Bennett of Muddy Shoe Adventures, the hike went from the Trippet Ranch Parking lot up to Eagle Rock, with sweeping views of the ocean and nearby  mountains. Conversations were easy and ongoing, and a full hour was spent exploring caves and engaging in deep discussions with one another. After the hike, the majority of the group carried on to Canyon Bistro where everyone enjoyed a well-earned brunch and more discussions.

“This was definitely one of the best AdventureConnects we have done here in LA! Although the turnout was small, conversations were rich, people had a great time hiking and exploring the caves at Eagle Rock. All of the attendees highly recommended that we continue to do weekend and adventure-based AdventureConnects moving forward, as it facilitated discussion, was more aligned with the mission and spirit of the ATTA, and was significantly easier than trying to do a weeknight event where people have to deal with LA traffic,” said Bennett after the event.

"It put us outside, where we belong," said adventure writer/photographer Eric Hiss about the first AdventureConnect "activity".
"It put us outside, where we belong," said adventure writer/photographer Eric Hiss about the first AdventureConnect "activity".

Attendees included Michael Bennett, Mirko Capodanno (Tourism Switzerland) and his wife, Alan Feldstein (Infinite Safari Adventures) and his wife, Eric Hiss (Photojournalist) + a friend who is retired but considering a new career in the adventure travel industry and Jon Lapidese (Picture Planet).

“It was a great opportunity to connect outdoors doing the fantastic hike. I can only encourage anyone at ATTA to hopefully do this again, possibly even a two-day weekend trip. It was a great opportunity for me and Switzerland Tourism to meet up with the local ATTA members, reflect on the past ATTA activities we shared, and discuss new opportunities of working together,” said Mirko Capodanno of Switzerland Tourism.

Journalist Eric Hiss said of the event: “The Adventure Connect hike experience was a natural for our group for all the right reasons: It put us outside (where we belong), allowed us interact with other members in a natural way as we made our way along the trail, and on a personal level introduced me to a new hike I know I will visit again. Presentations and cocktails like I have attended previously definitely have their place, but the experience of mixing sunshine, fresh air, great views, and a little sweat and effort is really the perfect mix for a group focused on adventure travel. I came, saw, learned, and hope to do again!”

The ATTA offers AdventureConnect events around the planet. To be invited, all you have to do is opt-in to receive our communications in your region (click “View All Subscription Preferences”). Subscribe now.

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